A positive result means that your body has produced antibodies against HIV.

This doesn't tell you whether you will stay well, develop minor illnesses, or develop AIDS.

It almost certainly means you are infectious. Research shows that the virus can be found in almost everyone with HIV antibodies.

This means that you should have safer sex with any sexual partners. If you use needles or syringes to inject drugs, you shouldn't share them.

Taking these precautions will prevent anyone getting HIV infection from you and also prevent you getting other infections from anyone else. It's possible that other infections could be factors in developing AIDS if you're HIV antibody positive.

Further information about living with HIV infection can be found in Living with HIV.

If you test positive for HIV antibodies you will also undergo tests which can tell you and your doctor more about how much damage HIV has caused to your immune system. Your doctor will almost certainly want to discuss with you the treatments currently available to fight HIV. These issues are discussed in more detail in Treatment options and the newly diagnosed later in this chapter.